Tobacco and alcohol are totally prohibited!
During the 9 months of pregnancy, it is not recommended to smoke or expose yourself to cigarette smoke. Smoking can cause a miscarriage, premature birth, abnormalities of the fetus or even the stopping of the pregnancy. Also, depending on the amount and how often it is consumed, alcohol can cause major imbalances during pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of the most serious conditions, which can lead to severe retardation or other neurological abnormalities in the child.
Some medicines cause malformations
During pregnancy, it is advisable not to resort to pills without a specialist doctor’s prescription. Among the most dangerous drugs are ibuprofen, diazepam, phenobarbital, aspirin, streptomycin or indomethacin. They cause serious malformations in the heart, deafness and even stopping the development of the pregnancy.
Other substances contraindicated for pregnant women are paracetamol, tetracillin and doxycillin, because they can slow down the growth of the bones of the fetus. Also, metronidazole and paroxetine-based antidepressants can be harmful to both the fetus and the mother.
Find out how to keep your teeth healthy and how to treat dental diseases during pregnancy HERE
Attention to commercial products!
Do not buy products that contain bisphenol A (the recycling symbol and the number 7 appear on the label), phthalates (they may appear written as DEHP, DIDP, DINP, DBP) or parabens (they appear as propyl/metyl/isobuthyl/butyl/ethyl/paraben) . It is good to also consider avoiding products that are sprayed with pesticides, herbicides or insecticides. Before eating them, wash the fruits and vegetables well or keep them in water with vinegar or water with sodium bicarbonate. It is also not recommended to eat raw meat, which can increase the risk of toxoplasmosis infection.
And some cosmetics can be toxic
Made with chemicals, cosmetic products can be quite dangerous for pregnant women. It is good to avoid creams based on retinol, retin-A and retinyl palmitate, all these derivatives of vitamin A, which can lead to hormonal disturbances. Vitamin A is not indicated during pregnancy, because it can cause congenital malformations to the fetus.
The risk of malformations increases if the excess of vitamin A in the body is present in the first trimester of pregnancy, when the body of the fetus begins to develop. You should also consider avoiding, as much as possible, salicylic acid, which is found in almost all types of exfoliating products, and formaldehyde, the chemical compound used in the manufacture of nail polishes, which can cause fertility problems.
Also in the category of cosmetic products are deodorants that contain aluminum chloride, a substance that inhibits perspiration. For your health, as well as that of the fetus, it is advisable to replace all these products with natural ones, based on honey, olive oil or yogurt. Hair dyeing is also not recommended during the 9 months, as the chemicals in the dye are absorbed into the skin and become harmful to the child.
Some plants can cause contractions
Wormwood, wormwood, spelt or gentian can be toxic to the fetus. Lavender, thyme, anise, sage or mouse tail activate blood circulation and can cause bleeding. And certain spices can cause uterine contractions: cinnamon, cumin, oregano, mint and nutmeg.
Expert advice
Dr. Gladiola Ilcu, obstetrics and gynecology primary physician, Obstetrics and Gynecology Medical Cabinet, Botoşani
During pregnancy, the pregnant woman should not take medication, but only if she has a pre-existing condition or a minor one, such as a urinary infection or a virus. Medicines are divided into several categories, such as harmless ones, medium-effect ones and prohibited ones. There are many women who are used to taking vitamins and food supplements instead of eating healthy to be in shape, but they don’t know that even vitamins can cause malformations. Many of them overdose on vitamin D3. The most important is folic acid, as it ensures the multiplication of fetal cells. If, however, medication is needed, the doctor is the one who decides which substances the future mother can take and only in short courses of 2-3 days. There is a class of drugs that only affects the fetus. For example, diazepam slows down the baby’s heartbeat, and propranolol can stop the developing pregnancy. Tetracycline is totally prohibited, because it causes yellowing of the child’s teeth, and streptomycin causes deafness. Self-medication is not indicated. The most dangerous period is after 10 days and up to 25 days of pregnancy.
